Pac-12 volleyball ranks league-record eight teams in national poll
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A league-record eight Pac-12 volleyball teams are ranked in this week’s AVCA Coaches poll, surpassing the Conference’s previous best of seven. No. 1 STANFORD and No. 2 WASHINGTON continue their stand at the top of the poll for the second-straight week, followed by OREGON at 11th. UCLA, ARIZONA, USC and ARIZONA STATE remain in the middle of the polling at No. 15, 16, 19 and 20, respectively. COLORADO makes its first appearance in the polling this season after receiving votes for four-straight weeks. Also receiving votes this week is OREGON STATE ... The Pac-12 has been equally as impressive in the RPI standings, with nine league teams rated 35 or better and all 12 teams appearing in the top 100 ... Thanks in large part to so many teams being ranked, a whopping five Pac-12 volleyball contests this week feature two ranked teams, including a top-15 matchup between No. 11 Oregon and No. 2 Washington that will be televised on ESPNU this Friday, Nov. 7. An additional 10 matches will be broadcast this week on the Pac-12 Networks ... Entering the final stretch of the season, Pac-12 teams have pulled off spectacular upsets, with a total of 15 victories over higher-ranked opponents. Most recently, Colorado knocked off back-to-back ranked foes as they defeated Arizona and Arizona State on the road ... Speaking of the Buffs, CU’s Taylor Simpson took home Pac-12 Offensive Player of the Week accolades after her two double-doubles in the desert. Washington’s Cassie Strickland earned Defensive Player of the Week as the Huskies swept their SoCal opponents in six straight sets. Oregon State’s Mary-Kate Marshall made history as she took home Freshman of the Week for the third time this season, marking the most weekly honors in a single season for any Oregon State player ... In the national statistics, UCLA continues its stand as the top team in assists and kills per set, while four Pac-12 teams are ranked in the top 25 in hitting percentage. A Pac-12 volleyball player leads the nation in five different individual categories (see page 5).
UPCOMING PAC-12 VOLLEYBALL SCHEDULE
Wednesday, Nov. 5
#20 Arizona State at #1 Stanford *, 7:30 p.m. PT (P12N)
Thursday, Nov. 6
#15 UCLA at #21 Colorado *, 6:30 p.m. MT (P12N)
Oregon State at Washington State *, 5:30 p.m. PT (P12N)
Friday, Nov. 7
#19 USC at Utah *, 6 p.m. MT (P12N)
#20 Arizona State at California *, 7 p.m. PT
#11 Oregon at #2 Washington *, 7:30 p.m. PT (ESPNU)
#16 Arizona at #1 Stanford *, 7:30 p.m. PT (P12N)
Sunday, Nov. 9
#19 USC at #21 Colorado *, 12 p.m. MT (P12N)
#16 Arizona at California *, 11 a.m. PT (P12N)
#11 Oregon at Washington State *, 11 a.m. PT (P12N)
#15 UCLA at Utah *, 2 p.m. MT (P12N)
Oregon State at #2 Washington *, 5 p.m. PT (P12N)